| DODGE NEWS |
2013 Dodge 'Hornet' Sneak Peek
By Andrew Ganz@LeftLaneNews.com
The first Chrysler-badged vehicle to take advantage of the automaker’s still relatively new Fiat overlords is bound for the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but our spies have nabbed a new compact sedan almost fully uncovered for the first time.
Likely to be badged Dodge Hornet, this new car clearly draws heavily from the European-market Alfa Romeo Giulietta. For the first time ever, we can see that its front fascia uses the crosshair design that is part of Dodge’s brand DNA. So far, the only model we’ve seen fully uncovered is the Hornet sedan, but a five-door with proportions almost identical to the Giulietta is also expected.
Chrysler has been notoriously quiet
about development of its new compact car, which will replace the Dodge
Caliber. But we anticipate both 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter four-cylinders
to provide motivation to the front wheels through manual and dual-clutch
automatic transmissions. The 168-horsepower 1.4-liter unit will power
most Hornets, while the 232-horsepower 1.8-liter, badged as a 1.75-liter
on the Alfa Romeo as an homage to the brand’s legendary 1750 twin-cams,
will likely be used in an SRT4 variant. Like the car’s platform and
much of its styling, the powertrains have been sourced from Fiat and its
Alfa Romeo division.
Click here to read the rest of the article @LeftLaneNews.com
Click here to read more and see more spy shots @RoadAndTrack.com
Durango SRT8 Possible for 2013 Model Year
Just the Facts:
- Dodge is considering a high-performance SRT8 version of the Dodge Durango.
- If it does reach production, it would be as a 2013 model.
- Power may come from the same 6.4-liter Hemi V8 used in other SRT8 models.
- Other high-performance hardware would include an adjustable suspension and Brembo brakes.
SANTA MONICA, California — Following the recent introduction of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Chrysler is now considering a high-performance version of the Jeep's platform mate, the Dodge Durango. The model would be called the Dodge Durango SRT8 and it would be powered by the same 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that powers the other SRT8 models.
Chrysler refused to comment officially for this report, but a source close to the project has confirmed that the Durango SRT8 is being seriously considered. However, it is possibly being held back because of the lackluster sales of the 2011 Dodge Durango R/T, an existing performance version of the SUV powered by a 370-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and available with rear-wheel drive. Of the 30,227 Durangos Dodge has sold since the R/T launched in March, only 2,418 have been R/Ts, a mere 7 percent.
Unlike the R/T, the seven-passenger Durango SRT8 would be all-wheel-drive only, just like the smaller five-passenger Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Since both SUVs are based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, all of the hardware that makes the Jeep into a fire-breathing SRT8 model bolts right onto the Durango.
Click here to read the rest of the article @InsideLine.com
Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer
Sometimes pictures, or in this case - video, speak louder than words.2011 Dodge Durango Grabs IIHS 'Top Safety Pick' Award
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed crash testing on the 2011 Dodge Durango, and the mid-size SUV has walked away with Top Safety Pick
honors. In individual tests, the newly redesigned Durango scored a
“good” rating in frontal crash, rear crash, side-impact and roof
strength testing, and comes with electronic stability control as a
standard feature across the model range.
Dodge Charger Pursuit Claims Victories In Michigan State Police Tests
By Aaron Richardson@AutoBlog.com
The Big Three are finally done one-upping each other in this year's Michigan State Police vehicle evaluations, with the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 laying down some heady numbers on the test track. The Charger emerged with the fastest lap time ever recorded in the Michigan State Police test's history, at 1:33.7.
That, boys and girls, is something else. The Chevrolet Caprice PPV may have the best top speed and braking, but the Charger has shown it has the chops to slice up the twisties as well.
Click here to read the rest of the article @AutoBlog.com
2011 Dodge Interior Pictures Teased
Posted October 18 2010
Courtesy of Dodge's teaser webpage, here is the first official picture of the new model's redesigned interior. It's an admittedly poor photo, which was surely intentional, but it gives up a few important details. Namely, that the new design is a significant departure from the old, fairly unglamorous cockpit.
 | In fact, it looks rather familiar, though in a good way. Take a look at the also-recently-released photo of the 2011 Dodge Durango's interior above. Comparing the two, they're fairly similar in overall design, particularly around the center stack. The Charger, to its credit, gets a beauty ring of sorts around the infotainment screen and HVAC controls, but the layout is essentially identical. Also carried-over is the automatic shifter, though with a new center console around it. Also present is a shared steering wheel that again sports the new shield-and-crosshair Dodge logo also first seen in the new Durango. This is, of course, the logo that Dodge insists isn't the brand's new official logo, despite showing up in several new vehicles now. They should probably make up their minds on that one. |
via Chrysler/Dodge courtesy ofAutomobile Magazine Staff
2011 Dodge Challenger Specifications Leaked
Posted October 18 2010
Freshly leaked documents from the recent Chrysler dealer event that showed off the new 2011 products seems to put the heated 6.4L Hemi horsepower numbers to rest.
Apparently during the presentation for the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8’s and limited 392 editions, Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles was quoted as saying the cars would hit 0-60 MPH in the 3-second zone, indicating an actual horsepower number much higher than 475 (considering the car will indeed soldier on with the same gearing as the 2010).
For comparison sake, the mighty 556HP Cadillac CTS-V runs 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. Further, the Cadillac was being tested by Chrysler workers along with the 6.4L 2012 Charger SRT8 and the 555HP BMW X5M with the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8.
This wouldn’t be the first time a car company has down rated HP so the buyers end up with cheaper insurance premiums. Also let loose was the numbers for the 3.6L V6 Challenger SE, which is 305 HP and 268 TQ which should have the V6 Challenger running a touch quicker than the V6 Camaro, which is heavier.
